Woolwich murder: Welby praises response of British Muslim bodies

Archbishop of Canterbury says UK's religious communities are in good position of co-operation and mutual support

The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby (right), and the assistant secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra, condemn the Woolwich murder of Lee Rigby outside the Masjid Umar mosque in Leicester. Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA

The archbishop of Canterbury has praised British Muslim organisations for their response to the murder of Lee Rigby, saying that the UK's different religious communities are in a good position of co-operation and mutual support.

"We have all been appalled by the brutal murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich," said Justin Welby during a joint appearance in Leicester with Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra, the assistant secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain.

After offering his prayers to the soldier's family, colleagues and comrades, as well as those who had been affected within the community, the archbishop praised the way in which religious groups had reacted.

"I want to recognise the response of churches, mosques and other faith and civil society groups, as well as those of brave individuals who have done so much to bring our communities together at this time," he said.

"The strong response of the Muslim Council of Britain and many other organisations has rightly emphasised that these acts have no place in Islam."

Welby described Leicester as a shining example of how religious communities work together, adding: "We are in a good position. There's very good foundations which have been laid over the last few years. It's very solid and I'm highly confident."

Mogra condemned the murder of Rigby as barbaric and pointed out that Muslims had a long, proud and honourable tradition of serving in the British armed forces.

He also called for all Britain's communities to come together, adding that some Muslims were concerned about a backlash following the killing. "But we hope that the police … will ensure law and order is maintained," he said. "If we begin to cower and hide ourselves away we allow the terrorists to win."

He added: "After the 9/11 incident, the London bombings and during the visit of the English Defence League to Leicester, the Leicester communities have all stood together, shoulder to shoulder.

"We had a tremendous public show of support for the Muslim communities after the terrorist attacks, where religious leaders, community leaders, people from all walks of life stood with us, shoulder to shoulder, and the peace has continued.

"This is one of the strengths that our country has, where people are able to make a distinction between law-abiding, peaceful citizens and the criminals."